The Bright Sparks and ETITO in Schools programmes are ETITO’s  school-to-industry transition programmes. The mission of these programmes are to increase the pool of young people available for employment in New Zealand’s hi-tech industries.

ETITO first ran a national competition for young electronic enthusiasts in 1998. The ETITO in Schools programme as we know it today was launched in 2000 and consists of three core elements:

The National Certificate in Electronics Technology [NCET]

• Delivered in 170 New Zealand secondary schools to students at Years 12 and 13
• 2,500 students currently engaged in NCET Level 2 and 100 students in NCET Level 3
• NCET is a New Zealand Qualifications Authority [NZQA] recognised qualification that offers credit towards NCEA certification
• It combines practical and theoretical components with formal assessment protocols
•  80% of graduates surveyed to date have progressed to tertiary education

Bright Sparks Internet Club      www.brightsparks.org.nz

• 1600 members, from 9 year olds to those in their early 20s
• 50 industry mentors
• A national club that engages with students who do not have access to the NCET and/or are home schooled
• Emphasis on learning and mentoring
• Loyalty programme – students earn points through participation, which can be used to quote discounts on electrical/electronics products purchased through Bright Sparks

HiTech Competition and Awards

• Annual national competition open to students aged up to 18 years
• Attracts more than 100 entries
• Projects entered in Electronics and Software categories
• Junior and senior prizes awarded in challenging categories as well as supreme awards
• Winners have gone on to excel at international competitions
• Starting in 2009, finalists in the Competition feature on our Awards website at www.brightsparksawards.co.nz